BLET News
BLET members ratify new four-year contract with Alstom/MARC
On February 26, BLET members voted unanimously to ratify a new four-year contract with Alstom. The contract cover locomotive engineers who operate Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC) trains in the Washington-Baltimore area. The agreement covers the period from Jan. 1,...
BLET hails introduction of Railway Safety Act of 2026 in U.S. House of Representatives
On March 2, Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA), along with co-leads Nick LaLota (R-NY), Michael Rulli (R-OH), John Garamendi (D-CA), introduced a companion bill to the Railway Safety Act of 2026 in the U.S. House Representatives. It matches the Senate measure that was...
BLET chalks up another organizing win as Austin Western workers say yes to union representation
Train and engine service employees at the Austin Western Railroad (AWRR) overwhelmingly voted to join the BLET in an election certified by the National Mediation Board in late February. Including this victory, BLET has won 15 representation elections in the past three...
Black History Month: Teamsters honor legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Earlier this month, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters unveiled a new bust of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Teamsters Headquarters in Washington, D.C. The bust honors the special relationship shared between Dr. King and the Teamsters Union during his lifetime...
BLET backs bills guaranteeing extra pay for working on federal holidays, paid sick leave
The BLET and Teamsters Rail Conference have thrown their support behind two U.S. Senate bills that will improve the pay and benefits of all Americans, including rail workers. Holiday Pay: The “Holiday Pay Act,” introduced by Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), would require...
Ballots mailed in tentative agreement with Indiana Rail Road
The BLET has reached a tentative agreement with the Indiana Rail Road (INRD). Ballots were mailed to members on February 20. The tentative agreement would provide retroactive pay dating to July 1, 2024, and subsequent general wage increases each year through July 1,...
BLET applauds bipartisan reintroduction of the Railway Safety Act
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National Division today applauded the bipartisan reintroduction of the Railway Safety Act (RSA) in the United States Senate. The legislation is being led by Senator Jon Husted (R-OH) and Senator Maria...
Notch 8: A message to the membership from BLET First Vice President Gary Best
Brothers and Sisters, When I addressed the members at our Eastern Regional in Daytona Beach last summer, I said that our Union had been in a siding for the last couple of years and had just received a signal to come out on the mainline when President Mark...
National health & welfare plan benefits: Fitness that fits you
If you or a family member have made a New Year’s resolution to hit the gym in 2026, this United HealthCare program may be what you’re looking for. A program titled One Pass Select provides access to a nationwide network of fitness locations, online workouts, and more,...
Education & Training: Secretary-Treasurers benefit from Zoom refresher sessions
Sixty BLET Secretary-Treasurers participated in half-day online refresher sessions February 17-18, hosted by the BLET Education & Training Department. The training focused on preparation of annual LM-3 and LM-4 reports required by the U.S. Department of Labor’s...
100 years ago, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters made major gains as first union for Black railroad workers
Founded on August 25, 1925, by A. Philip Randolph, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP) was the first African American labor union to secure a collective bargaining agreement with a major corporation, the Pullman Company. With the decline of passenger rail...
BLET members ratify new agreement with Great Western Railway of Colorado
On February 10, BLET members ratified a new contract with the Great Western Railway of Colorado (GWR). The new contract provides pay increases, paid sick leave days, and protects the members’ health and welfare benefits. The negotiating team consisted of BNSF (former...
Last Run: Division 848 Secretary-Treasurer Darren Mickelson retires
Congratulations to Brother Darren Mickelson of BLET Division 848 (South Pekin, Ill.) who safely completed his Last Run on November 25, 2025. His retirement became official on December 3. His railroad career began on December 13, 1993 when he hired out as a conductor...
Replacement ballots now available in BLET-Alstom/MARC contract vote
BLET members who work as locomotive engineers for Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC/Alstom) are currently voting on a tentative agreement. Ballots will be tabulated on Thursday, February 26. Eligible members who have not yet received a ballot should call the BLET...
BLET effort helps stop Metro-North expansion, protecting member jobs at Amtrak
New York Governor Kathy Hochul is backing off of a misguided plan to run Metro-North commuter trains on Amtrak territory, a move that would have resulted in job losses for members of the BLET. It was a team effort that led to this reversal and a win for BLET. After...
47 Republican members of Congress tell federal regulators if UP-NS merger doesn’t promote competition it shouldn’t move forward
A February 4 letter co-signed by 47 Republican members of Congress urges the Surface Transportation Board to conduct a “rigorous and comprehensive” review of proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. The Representatives said that if STB cannot ensure that the...
150 years ago, BLET secured a contract providing wage increases, establishing seniority and grievance procedures
In the year 1876, numerous grievances by early members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers nearly led to a strike at the Central Railroad of New Jersey Central. After intervention by Grand Chief Engineer Peter M. Arthur, the engineers and the railroad came to...
Do you have a dependent who is a high school senior planning to attend college or vocational training? Deadlines approaching for two key Teamster financial aid opportunities
Application deadlines are swiftly approaching for two valuable scholarship opportunities that are available to the dependents of BLET members: • March 2 is the deadline for the James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund, which awards college scholarships ranging from...
If you’re planning to work after receiving a Railroad Retirement annuity, be aware of rules regarding earnings limitations
Railroad retirement annuitants, and individuals planning retirement, should be aware of the railroad retirement laws and rules pertaining to annuity payments for those who choose to work after retirement. These laws and rules apply to age and service and disability...
Deepest condolences: California State Legislative Board Chairman Ryan Snow, 1964-2026
The BLET National Division extends deepest condolences to the family and friends of Brother Ryan Snow who unexpectedly passed away on February 4. He was 61 years old. Snow’s railroad career began in 1998 when he hired out with the Union Pacific Railroad in...
Daily Headlines
CN announces Q4, full-year 2025 results
CN reported revenues of C$4,464 million and operating income of C$1,733 million.
Norfolk Southern reports Q4, full-year 2025 results
For the fourth quarter of 2025, NS reported revenue of $3.0 billion and income from railway operations of $937 million.
CPKC reports Q4, full-year 2025 results
CPKC announced its fourth-quarter 2025 revenues of $3.9 billion.
Union Pacific reports Q4, full-year 2025 results
UP reported 2025 fourth quarter net income of $1.8 billion
CSX announces Q4, full-year 2025 results
CSX Corp. announced fourth quarter 2025 operating income of $1.11 billion and net earnings of $720 million.
Railroads thwart safety fixes, costing lives
Fatigue-related accidents killed at least nine people and injured over 300 from 2015 through 2024, the Howard Center’s analysis of NTSB investigation reports found.
Associated Press: BLET, BMWED oppose UP-NS merger
“This proposed monopoly will end up costing businesses more and those costs will be passed on to consumers,” BLET National President Mark Wallace said.
UP, NS shareholders support $85 billion merger
The U.S. Surface Transportation Board must still approve it before the deal can be completed.
NTSB releases preliminary report on fatal accident involving BLET member working as a BNSF conductor
The worker killed was identified as 52-year-old Daniel Peterson of Billings, Mont., a member of BLET Division 232 (Laurel, Montana).
CN reports Q3 2025 results
CN reported that its net income was C$1,139 million in Q3 2025, an increase of C$54 million, or 5%.
